Think you I am not fiend and savage too?
Think you I could not arm me with a gun
And shoot down ten of you for every one
Of my black brothers murdered, burnt by you?
Be not deceived, for every deed you do
I could match–out-match: am I not Africa’s son,
Black of that black land where black deeds are done?
But the Almighty from the darkness drew
My soul and said: Even thou shalt be a light
Awhile to burn on the benighted earth,
Thy dusky face I set among the white
For thee to prove thyself of highest worth;
Before the world is swallowed up in night,
To show thy little lamp: go forth, go forth!
(Claude McKay)
More Poetry from Claude McKay:
Claude McKay Poems based on Topics: Night, Light, World, Sons, God- Two-An'-Six (Claude McKay Poems)
- The Negro's Friend (Claude McKay Poems)
- White Houses (Claude McKay Poems)
- When I Have Passed Away (Claude McKay Poems)
- Alfonso, Dressing to Wait at Table (Claude McKay Poems)
- Heritage (Claude McKay Poems)